Claims that the UK is in the midst of a free speech crisis and suffers from a “two-tier” justice system are unfounded, but the recent arrest of comedian/writer Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport by armed police officers has provided ammunition for those intent on pushing this agenda. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Tag: Iain Wilson (Page 1 of 2)
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss is a keen supporter of the Musk brand of free speech, but not apparently when it comes to criticism of herself. Continue reading
Brett Wilson previously published a press release on behalf of Dr Erica Smith following the outcome of her harassment and privacy claim against former colleague and UCL academic Dr Christopher Backhouse. The claim concerned a sustained campaign of online harassment, which included the creation of Twitter accounts impersonating Dr Smith and offering sexual services to the public. Continue reading
On 11 July 2023, on the News Agents podcast, broadcaster Jon Sopel asked whether The Sun could be facing “the mother of all libel claims” for publishing allegations against a then unnamed BBC presenter. On 13 July 2023, Vicky Flind confirmed that her husband Huw Edwards was the broadcaster in question. Continue reading
Unveiling the report of last autumn’s Conduct in Disputes Thematic Review (the report), SRA chief executive Paul Philip said that some firms needed to do more and that the regulator would be redoubling its efforts to make sure its message on SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation) got through. This sentiment is as disappointing as it is predictable. But Philip’s statement seems to be at odds with what should have been the report’s core finding: namely that talk of SLAPPS is greatly exaggerated. Continue reading
Here we are again. The press doesn’t like us having private lives and the government doesn’t like judges making decisions it disagrees with. These two angsts collided recently following the Court of Appeal’s decision in HRH the Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 1810. Something, we are told, needs to be done. The answer apparently is (yet again) to abolish the Human Rights Act 1998 and introduce a system whereby the government can review and nullify the effect of binding court decisions. Continue reading
The recent libel judgment handed down in Depp II v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 2911 (QB) has made headlines around the world and has captured the attention of the public. It has also been a devastating personal blow for Mr Depp. Continue reading
There aren’t many of us who enjoy wearing facemasks, however most of us are law-abiding and/or want to do our bit to try and protect others and stem the pandemic. Whilst the number of those refusing to wear facemasks on public transport or in shops is decreasing, there remains a hardcore of able-bodied individuals who steadfastly refuse. Continue reading
On 24 September 2019, whilst the country was focused on the United Kingdom Supreme Court as it ruled that the prorogation of the UK parliament was unlawful, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU or ECJ), handed down judgment in Google LLC, successor in law to Google Inc. v Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), C‑507/17, effectively a sequel to the landmark data protection ‘Google Spain’ decision in May 2014. Continue reading
From 1 October 2019 new rules – in the form of a revised Part 53, Media and Communication Claims, revised/new practice directions (PD 7A, 53A and 53B) and an all encompassing Pre-action Protocol – will apply to claims in England and Wales arising from media and communications disputes. Continue reading
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